14-001

104-10216-10100] . | 2025 RELEASE UNDER THE PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY ASSASSINATION RECORDS ACT OF 1992

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MEMORANDOH FOR THE RECORD

SUBJECT: I. Irving Davidson

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CEU D,

31 July 1974

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1. At 1000 houre on 31 July 1974, in compliance with instructions
from Mr. Halpern, I mst with Niel Aiosley, Chief, Covert Frocurezant/OL,
vrelativa to the Davidson matter. Ainsley read the Washington FO memo
regerding the subject end then called Billy Morgan and esked him to

join us.

a. Per instructions from Mr. Colby, the CIA is
currently engaged in a dialogue with the DoD to
determine the mtual responsibilities of the CIA and
the DoD in future paramilitary operations, One of the
most important aspects of this matter is logistical
eupport. Although this has not yet been settled, the
essumption is that the CIA will continue to bear tha
major responsibility for procuring Soviet, Bloc, and
PRC arss asd ammo to support paramilitary ops. This
hes never been 2 mission of the three military services
end they have no capability for this type of acquisition.
(The principal CIA rep in these discussions with the

BoD is Janes Glgrus, Deputy Chief, SOG.) stone

b. The CIA inventory of 7.62 Soviet ammo has
been seriously depleted in the past year and, for
several wonths, Ainsley has been seeking to procure
up to 4 million rounds through different sources
without success. Each attempt to secura aemo involves
some security rick.

.

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Morgan ae Chief, Operations Support Branch, Supply Division/OL,
has the direct responsibility of funding for, re-eiving, and storing
items of the type that Davidson is seeking to peddle. After Morgan
vead the Washington nemo, a long discussion ensued from which tha

following points emerged:

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SUBJECT: 1. Irving Davidson

e. In view of this fact, Morgan offered the opinion 4
that frou a logistical point of view it would be advantageous
.to purchase the entire 25 million rounds fron Davidson (at
4@ cost he estimated to bs in the range of $3,125,000.00).
This would provide the Agency with a five-year supply and
elininate the necessity for Ainsley running the security
geuntlet every few months to replenish the inventory.

4
a. Bevertheless, because of Davidson's unsavory [
Feputation and his close connection vith columnist Jack }
Anderson, ie was generally agreed that hiu utilizstion . i
would be risky in the extrezs. |
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rent np ra ret eT el pai cae, renee +

2, Afasley encoasted thar we run the prebles by his bess, >
Michal Malenick, Chief, Office of Logistics. Accordingly we net with ;
Helantek aad his Deputy, Janes McDonald. After a thorough rehash of the *
satter, ic was agreed that: }

@. Morgen will confer with SCG and deteraine
the feasibilicy of. taking the entire 25 million rounds.

| . db. Ainsley and Morgen vill check with their

legitivate ares dealers and sea if any of then have
ever heard of Davideon. If so, one of them will
approach hin and ask (innecently) if he knows of
euy 7.62 amo available.

e@. There is aleo a possibility that one of
Afasley‘s regular contacts aight have some ides as
te who Davidson's source is. In that case the source
will be approached directly aad Davidson will be cut
out of the pattern.

@. DCD will instruct the Washington Pield Office
to tell Davidson that there is no CIA interest in this
ecquisitien ead bow out of this affair.

WILLIAM D. MATHER
Cafef, Format Sectioa

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Vile: Services/Coatrol

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